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A total of 1770 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) have so far been sanctioned in 22 States & one Union Territory

Highlights

• It is done for promotion of tribal entrepreneurship and livelihood generations wherein a total of about 5.27 Lakhs beneficiaries have been associated. 
• It is envisaged to scale up implementation of the program in 26 States and 308 Districts including 39 aspirational districts where significant forest dwelling tribal population and rich source of Minor Forest Produces.
• Further it is envisaged to explore opportunities to forge convergence with other central line Ministries to boost the initiative.

The Van Dhan Scheme

• It is an initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED. 
• It was launched on 14th April, 2018 and seeks to improve tribal incomes through value addition of tribal products.
• It is a component of the  The ‘Mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) & Development of Value Chain for MFP’  was launched on 14th April, 2018.
• Implemented by TRIFED as the nodal agency at the national level, the Van Dhan start ups is a well thought master plan for the socio-economic development of the tribal population of the country.

Source: PIB